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Dr. Manya Whitaker is the 15th President of Colorado College. Appointed in June 2025, she has positioned the College to claim its space in higher education through institutional sustainability, student and alumni engagement, and national visibility, while leveraging the Block Plan to connect liberal arts learning to real-world impact. In her first year as president, Colorado College implemented the Four Corners Pledge access initiative, completed a comprehensive institutional review, expanded and diversified alumni engagement opportunities, and enhanced revenue generation through philanthropy and auxiliary revenue streams. She prioritized being a visible and accessible presence on campus for students, launching two new student traditions while attending numerous athletic events, performances, and affinity group gatherings.
Dr. Whitaker consistently elevates the College’s profile through national higher education leadership, advocacy, and public engagement. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) as a Region VIII representative and is a member of the second cohort of the Aspen-Kern Presidential Leadership Fellowship, a two-year program for college and university presidents. Through her work with the Small Colleges Coalition, she builds relationships with national and state legislators to build understanding of the value private liberal arts colleges bring as drivers of economic and social impact.
Dr. Whitaker initially served as Interim President beginning July 1, 2024, quickly earning the confidence of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners through her transparent leadership, keen understanding of the College’s mission, and steady guidance. During her interim year, Colorado College secured Carnegie’s Research Colleges and Universities designation, surpassed fundraising goals, advanced key institutional priorities, and leaned into community-building in the commemoration of its 150th anniversary.
Dr. Whitaker previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, acting as the President’s principal aide and strategic advisor. She is also a Professor of Education at Colorado College, and prior to moving into administration, taught classes on social and political issues in education. Dr. Whitaker is a developmental educational psychologist with expertise in adolescent identity formation and motivation. She has authored four books and more than 20 book chapters and articles focused on her research, including “Public School Equity: Educational Leadership for Justice,” “Schooling Multicultural Teachers: A Guide for Program Assessment and Professional Development,” “Learning from the Inside-Out: Child Development and School Choice,” and “Counternarratives from Women of Color Academics: Bravery, Vulnerability, and Resistance” (co-editor).
Through 15 years at Colorado College, her roles have also included Interim Director of the Butler Center, Director of the Crown Faculty Center, and Director of Graduate Studies and Chair of Education.
Dr. Whitaker received her doctorate in developmental psychology from Vanderbilt University and her B.A. in educational psychology from Dartmouth College.